Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 19: The case of suicide by Shyamprasad Shastri, brother of Diwakar Shastri, whose wife, Premalata, has accused Sri Raghaveshwara Swamiji of raping her, took an interesting turn on Monday after a court issued summons to Diwakar Shastri.

A person named Govind Shastri, in a private complaint filed at Puttur court, had claimed that the gun used by Shyamprasad Shastri from Kedila for ending his life was owned by Diwakar Shastri. He also had said that the licence for the gun was in the jurisdiction of Vittal police station. He had requested the court to investigate into the circumstances which compelled Shyamprasad Shastri, who owned his own gun, to use his brother's gun to kill himself.

The court, which examined some witnesses and took into account certain documents and held preliminary investigation, has found prima facie evidence to suggest involvement of Diwakar Shastri in the case. After registering a Suo moto case under section 304, 201 and 120 (b) of Indian Penal Code and section 3 and 25 of Indian Arms Act, served summons on Diwakar Shastri.

A report had been filed at Puttur town police station about Shyamprasad Shastri having ended his life by firing at himself with a gun on August 31, 2014 at his residence. Govind Shastri had filed a private complaint on the basis of findings of police investigation.

Meanwhile, Diwakar Shastri and Sandhyalaxmi, wife of the late Shyamprasad Shastri, in a written joint statement, questioned the involvement of Govind Shastri, a very distant relative, in the death of Shyamprasad Shastri, which they said, was a suicide case of which they are convinced about. They condemned the complaint, terming it as false and backed by evil motives, which they felt, has been made with the tacit support of Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, whom they have accused of continuing to occupy the holy seat even after facing rape charges.